LD12 Resolution Opposing Medicaid (AHCCCS) Expansion

Resolution of the LD12 Republican Committee in Opposition to the Governor’s expansion of Medicaid (AHCCCS)
March 21, 2013

WHEREAS the Voters of Arizona clearly expressed their will to reject the implementation of the Affordable Care- Act (Obamacare) by the passage of Prop 106 in 2010, by which the People of Arizona resolutely stated they do not support Obamacare, or the implementation of any system that resembles the socialized medical model of the Affordable Care-Act (Obamacare); and

WHEREAS it is implausible for a government entitlement program to be scaled back, eliminated, or held within its initial cost projections once implemented. It is our assessment that this program, if passed will be permanent, and that the long term and evolving costs of this Medicaid Expansion will increase Arizona’s financial burden and cause additional drain upon Arizona’s General Fund forever; and

WHEREAS if today we lack the fortitude to terminate subsidized health care for approximately 50,000 individuals, it is clearly illogical to suggest that in the future the proposed “circuit breaker” would ever obtain the political will to terminate an estimated 400,000 people.  Therefore the “circuit breaker” is really just an empty proposal; and

WHEREAS the bed tax assessment proposed  has no oversight by the Legislature, opposes the will of the Arizona electorate as voiced by Prop 108, is a clear effort to bypass the strongest tax payer protection in the Arizona Constitution, which requires all tax increases to be approved by a 2/3 majority of the Legislature, and attempts to transfer taxing authority into the hands of an appointed agent who reports solely to the Executive .The bed tax having no oversight will result in an increase in medical costs; and

WHEREAS the expansion of every federal program has resulted in the loss of state’s rights; and

WHEREAS, supporting a government takeover of our health care system, even to secure large amounts of federal funds, does NOT reflect the values of the Republican Party or the interests of the taxpayers of Arizona; and

WHEREAS the Federal Government is $16.5 Trillion dollars in debt and recklessly borrowing .40 cents out of every dollar; it is irresponsible and unsustainable to accept these borrowed dollars to expand Medicaid in Arizona. We are opposed to imprisoning future generations with the debt we are creating for our current medical care. Furthermore, federal cost matching only applies to the expanded enrollment pool and is temporary. Arizona will eventually be burdened with the full cost of the expanded program. We support no plan of spending money we do not have. We request that the Legislature vote to protect both current and future tax payers of Arizona. We are not swayed by the decisions of other states; and

WHEREAS the most effective ways to ensure that Arizona is competitive is creating a state with low taxes, minimal regulations and a strong vibrant businesses climate; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, that we the members of the LD12 Republican Committee unanimously affirm and declare our opposition of the Governor’s proposal to expand Medicaid and we respectfully urge that the Arizona legislature vote NO on Medicaid Expansion.